Cheryl Cole to help create malaria awareness in Africa

London, Aug 15 (IANS) Singer Cheryl Cole, who is recuperating after being struck by malaria, has vowed to help battle the killer disease in the poorest parts of Africa. “It is a very brave decision. Cheryl has thought long and hard about it. This is a life-changing, landmark experience for her. She’s seen how malaria Â­destroy people’s lives and now has first-hand knowledge of just how serious it is,” said Cheryl’s friend.

The 27-year-old had spent 11 days in hospital after catching the highly Â­infectious virus during a holiday in Tanzania with Derek Hough.

Now Cheryl plans to return to the continent to raise awareness about the disease with the help of Comic Relief charity. She will first visit Uganda after she finishes the forthcoming series of talent hunt show “X Factor”. She will meet the families of malaria victims and raise awareness about the mosquito nets that help stop the mosquito bites which spread the disease that continues to ravage Africa.

Cheryl will hand over a large consignment of the nets to children when she visits the Ruguse Primary School in Hoima, a town 140 miles north-west of capital of Uganda, Kampala

She will also visit remote medical centres that distribute medicines to curb the disease.

“Cheryl got the best care possible when she got back from Tanzania and she is very grateful for it. But she is aware that millions of Africans are not so lucky.

“After what she has been through, you might have thought Africa was the last place she’d be wanting to go to. But the reverse is true. She wants to get out there as soon as the ‘X Factor’ has been wrapped up,” said the friend.

Cheryl will also tour medical centres to meet doctors and patients who Â­struggle to get hold of sufficient supplies of anti-malaria medicine.